Agenda item

That the expenditure to date from the Community Investment Fund 2020/21 be noted.

The Cabinet received a report that updated on the expenditure to date on the Community Investment Fund for the period to the end of September 2020.

The Appendix to the report set out the spending to date on a ward by ward basis.  It was noted £613k of capital funding and £25k of revenue was still available to be allocated at the current time.  Lead Members commented that a number of schemes were being delivered already such as the new green gyms funded this year and many more had funding committed.  The Cabinet highlighted the importance of delivering the schemes identified by ward members in a timely manner and it was expected that councillors would be proposing further schemes in the coming months.  Officers were asked to ensure that requests from Members to cost out potential schemes were completed quickly to ensure projects could be entered into the programme for delivery this year.

Lead Members commented that some projects agreed by Cabinet to be funded from underspends in previous years did not appear to be reflected in the Appendix.  It was agreed that this should be clarified and all decisions previously made by Cabinet to fund specific schemes be carried forward and reflected in the next update.

The Cabinet had previously agreed funding for a number of projects from its allocation to address some of the emerging impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on Slough.  These included more support for rough sleepers, unemployed residents and measures to promote social distancing.  Lead Members proposed that the High Street social distancing signage be refreshed to increase public awareness of the continued need to maintain social distancing.  Given the current budget pressures it was agreed that the Cabinet would not make any further allocations, but would keep some of its budget in reserve to address any specific issues arising from Covid-19 over the autumn that would be appropriate for CIF funding.

Resolved –  That the expenditure to date from the Community Investment Fund 2020/21 be noted.